Appeal Court Dismisses Akpabio's Petitions, Directs Senate President to Remit Natasha 100,000 Naira
The dust still settles on the ongoing legal squabble between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Here's what's gone down:
According to our reliable sources, two motions filed by Akpabio, seeking to challenge a Federal High Court judgment that restricted the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions from instigating disciplinary action against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, have been swiftly withdrawn and strikingly dismissed by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
Allegedly, the motions - filed on March 20th and 25th, 2025 - were withdrawn by Akpabio's legal team during the appellate court hearing. The order was signed by Deputy Chief Registrar Josephine J. Ekperobe, stating, "Application seeking to withdraw the two Motions dated and filed on the 20/3/2025 and 25/3/2025 is granted and same struck out. Cost of ₦100,000 awarded to the 1st Respondent."
Akpoti-Uduaghan had previously asked the court to inhibit the Senate and its Ethics Committee from proceeding with any disciplinary actions, claiming that any actions taken during the lawsuit's proceedings would be null, void, and of no effect whatsoever. The ruckus started following a heated exchange between the two lawmakers on February 20th, 2025.
As of now, the reasons behind Akpabio's legal team's sudden U-turn remain under wraps. However, the unexpected move could hint at a potential change in strategy or an effort to de-escalate the contentious intraparliamentary rift.
In other news, Oshiomhole declares an unyielding stand against violence, Air Peace slams terminal disruption, June 12 Democracy Day Parade has been cancelled, the Makinde-Wike dispute deepens, the PDP convention looms, and more. Stay tuned for the latest updates!
*** Oshiomhole: 'We Maintain Zero-tolerance Stance On Violence' - Air Peace Condemns Terminal Disruption ****** FG Cancels June 12 Democracy Day Parade ****** Makinde, Wike Clash Deepens As PDP Crisis Worsens Ahead Of 2025 Convention ****** Senate Mulls Bill For Annual Presidential Address On June 12, Inauguration Venue Shift ****** Top Nigerian Newspaper Headlines For Today, Wednesday, 11th June, 2025 ****** 'If Fubara Joins Our Party His Sins Cannot Be Forgiven' - Rivers APC ***
- The Senate is considering a bill for an annual Presidential address on June 12, following the controversy surrounding the Makinde-Wike dispute within the PDP.
- The PDP convention, scheduled for a later date, is looming amidst the deepening crisis within the party due to the ongoing disagreement between Governors Makinde and Wike.
- Meanwhile, the APC, in a strong stance against violence, has been asserted by Oshiomhole, while Air Peace has condemned terminal disruption, signifying a flare-up in general news and politics.
- In another development, following the Court of Appeal's dismissal of two motions filed by Senate President Akpabio against Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senate's policy-and-legislation proceedings are expected to continue, taking center stage in Nigerian politics.
- The sudden withdrawal of the motions by Akpabio's legal team, as ordered by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, has sparked speculation about a shift in strategy or an attempt to de-escalate the intraparliamentary rift, with the case garnering significant Naija and general-news attention.
